Synthia Tonn, SAM Engineer

Sample Analysis at Mars

The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) is a suite of instruments developed for use on the Mars Science Laboratory, designed to help find out whether or not Mars ever supported life. This video profiles Synthia Tonn, a junior engineer responsible for SAM's ground support equipment as well as its 'plumbing,' or the series of tiny, winding gas lines that connect SAM's various instruments.